Cherry Street Hookah

This past Friday night, a friend suggested that we check out Macon's newest - and, in my opinion, first "real" - hookah lounge. I'd managed to miss the opening announcement in the Telegraph (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macon.com%2F2012%2F08%2F16%2F2139986%2Fhookah-lounge-opening-in-downtown.html&s=666573e0958deab5895e89e60d2e276f4f298a825446f67d0d3b3790290df569" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.macon.com/201…</a>), and had no idea that such an establishment was opening. I was thrilled at the prospect.

I've been a long-time "hookah enthusiast" (if that's even a thing), ever since an introduction in college. Since my undergraduate days, I have spent many relaxing evenings in a multitude of hookah lounges, and have often lamented the lack of a proper lounge in my hometown. Sure, other options exist around Macon, but none with the atmosphere and quality that I was accustomed to. When I walked into Cherry Street Hookah, I felt as if I'd just walked into to one of my favorite west coast hookah bars.

The decor and atmosphere (while a work-in-progress, according to the proprietors) is fantastic - not too loud, not too quiet, with a sleek modern-industrial feel quite conducive to a relaxing evening. The hookah experience is fantastic, with top of the line equipment, excellent shisha selection, and plenty of great options (try a fruit top) to enhance your experience. To top it off, the gentlemen who own Cherry St. Hookah are pleasant, engaging, and fun to hang out with.

In just a few short days, Cherry Street Hookah has become my new go-to place for downtown nightlife when I'm just looking to relax and have a conversation with friends without the noise or smoke of the other downtown nightlife establishments (yes, it is a hookah bar, but they have a great filtration system and DO NOT ALLOW cigarette or cigar smoking - hookah only). You can sit down, have a conversation with friends, smoke hookah, and leave without smelling like an ashtray.

Glorious.